Virginia Zimmerman, right, shows the LVAD shirt belonging to her husband, Paul, during Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual LVAD celebration at the University Conference Center on Friday, April 27, 2018. The shirt helps hold the wires of patients who have a left ventricular assist device, instead of allowing the wires to hang outside of the clothes and possibly get caught on something. Mrs. Zimmerman was showing it to members of the tables so they could take photos and possibly purchase the shirt for love ones who are also LVAD patients.

Tina Kline, a coordinator with the LVAD and heart transplant program, takes photos of the patients who showed up Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual LVAD celebration at the University Conference Center on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Dave Peterson of Myerstown, who has been a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patient for the past eight months, checks in at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual LVAD celebration at the University Conference Center on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Peggy Higby, left, a program manager with the LVAD and heart transplant program, looks on as Dr. Howard Eisen says a few words during the annual left ventricular assist device (LVAD) reunion at the University Conference Center on the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus, on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Carol Moore, a social worker with the LVAD and heart transplant program, says a few words during Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual LVAD celebration at the University Conference Center on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Jim “Jimmy” Glass and other members of his table react as Dr. Howard Eisen says a few words during Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center's annual LVAD celebration at the University Conference Center on Friday, April 27, 2018.

The event brought together patients living with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and their family members. An LVAD takes the place of a person’s left ventricle and helps the heart pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

Those attending the LVAD Celebration on April 27 included both patients who have received the device as a “bridge to transplant” as they await a human heart and those for whom it is a “destination therapy.”